DeepSeek, a Chinese AI platform, has rapidly gained popularity after launching an open-source generative AI model that rivals leading US platforms like OpenAI. Despite its appeal, DeepSeek’s privacy practices have raised alarms, especially as data collected from US users is explicitly stored on servers in China.
This includes all user conversations, questions, and other personal details shared through the platform. Users have also reported instances of content censorship, particularly on topics critical of China, adding to privacy and propaganda concerns.
DeepSeek collects extensive user data, including email addresses, phone numbers, and browsing activity, as well as device information like IP addresses and keystroke patterns. Even user interactions and prompts are stored and potentially used to refine the company’s AI models.
While users can run some models locally to avoid data transfer, the majority rely on the cloud-based service, leaving their data vulnerable to Chinese regulations that require companies to share information with authorities if requested.
DeepSeek’s privacy policies suggest the platform can share data with advertisers and use it for service improvements, enforcement of terms, and compliance with legal obligations.
However, experts warn that such policies expose users to potential risks, especially since Chinese companies operate under strict government mandates.
The platform’s growing popularity has sparked debates over data privacy and security risks, with comparisons drawn to TikTok, another Chinese-owned platform scrutinized for similar concerns.
Critics argue that engagement with AI platforms like DeepSeek feels more personal, making users more susceptible to subliminal content manipulation and propaganda.
As geopolitical tensions between the US and China persist, experts predict increased scrutiny and potential regulatory actions against AI firms, emphasizing the need for transparency and stricter privacy safeguards in the growing AI industry.
